Genesis Chapter 1

The milky way

Oh, Genisis 1. Where to begin? Genesis is one of the most important accounts in the Old Testament, and has been a source of debate among scientists and theologists for as long as the bible has been in existence. I, being trained in biology during my undergraduate degree, have no doubts about evolution. As far as I am concerned, it happened, its proven and what's the big deal? I personally don't have any problems believing in creation and evolution. After all, who am I to know the divine plans and blueprints of God. I am just being upfront so you have an idea where I am going with this, I don't want to disappoint those who were hoping for a literalistic approach.

Time. What is it? For us humans, there are 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour and 60 seconds in a minute. For us, a month is 30 days. For a fruitfly, that same 30 days is a whole lifetime! If fruitflies experience a whole lifetime in 30 days of the human concept of time, then just imagine what our mere concept of time is compared to divine time. The world was created in 6 days based on a human account of the beginning, a human account that was divinely inspired by God. Surely a person thousands of years ago would not understand era's or other complex constructions of time and so in order to get his point across, I figure God had to put it in terms that made sense to the audience he was addressing. When Jesus spoke to military figures, he used military speak. The way he spoke with more educated was different than how he addressed the less educated population. The point was that he wanted to put things into perspective for the person he was preaching to so that they would understand and be able to pass on the message of salvation. So God must have had the same goal when he was speaking with the early prophets. That is how, in my somewhat stubbornly logical mind, I reconcile time with evolution. Who's to say that God didn't have this grand and complex plan that would masterfully begin with one organsm, and, like a piece of clay was able to mold thousands of creatures from that same material? I don't know about you, but to me that is just as beautiful and divine as the creation account in Genesis.

When you're reading the Old Testament, it is important to keep in mind that this was a society that had to pass on oral traditions for many generations until there was an official record kept. During the time of Adam and Eve, such a record did not exist. It is amazing how accurate and detailed the oral traditions were and how they were passed down through generations without losing the detail, however we also must remember that Genesis is simply a way of God telling his people how the earth and all of its inhabitants came to be, and wanted to do so in a way they could understand. Imagine trying to explain DNA and other scientific principles to a people who are so early on in their formation (along with everyone else in the world) that they cannot yet write. It would be difficult. Genesis 1 is by far the most popular account of the six days of creation, and is by far the most detailed, but people often forget that the bible contains three creation accounts, each slightly unique. Does this mean none are true? Absolutely not! They are still containing the same foundational points and these points happen to coincide quite nicely with the current scientific account of how the world came to be. In the end, God wants us to love and respect one another, so regardless of what our personal opinions are on the matter we all have to love and respect each other.

The other creation account occurs in Genesis 2 and John 1. We will explore the Genesis 2 account in the next study and get into Adam and Eve and the fall of humanity! The epic that is the Old Testament is just getting started, and it contains all of the components for a great literary piece, if we were to look at it in a literary senese. We are going to experience anger, hate, murder, betrayal, confusion, confession, law, rebellion, punishment, reward, scandal and keep in mind, while some parts may be disturbing it ends in our salvation! Through it all, we will witness the mercy and Glory of God! We will study it together, and while I am not saying my points are accurate (after all only God truly knows) but they're just my current understanding of scripture. I hope that we will be better able to learn more about scripture together, after all it is a lifelong study and we learn from one another.

I like to conclude my studies with a prayer, and I will try to incorporate different prayers throughout the studies.

Student's PrayerAs found on "The Great Adventure," Bible Study for Catholics website, http://biblestudyforcatholics.com/students-prayer-by-st-thomas-aquinas/

Creator of all things,true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of our understanding. Take from us the double darkness in which we have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance. Give us a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.